Mt Washington Resort E-Session | Nick & Meg

I don’t care what anyone says, January is the best month to take a weekend away. We were so happy when Nick and Megan agreed to join us in New Hampshire at the Mt. Washington Resort to have their engagement portraits done and what a great weekend it turned out to be. It was sunny and not too cold but cold enough for a nice cocktail at the restaurant. It was also the perfect opportunity for Michael’s skiing skills to be put to the test. It was the first time he had ever taken pictures while actually on ski’s. Luckily their pictures came out great and there was no collateral damage done to the precious cameras. Beautiful day, beautiful couple and soon to be a beautiful wedding to start a happy marriage.

 

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Holly & George’s e-session | Umass Amherst

One of the best advantages to being a Western Massachusetts Wedding Photographer is being able to capture all the romances that started at our wonderful colleges and universities. When we advertise that we will go anywhere you want to do your engagement portraits, my favorite response is “can we go to my college where I met my fiancé?” When I think about all the hundreds of thousands of couples that met at college, I can’t help but smile. Whether you like it or not, if you work in the wedding industry you are destined to be a romantic at some level. Holly and George met at the University of Massachusetts. I think that says it all.

So why should you do an Engagement Session?  Not only is it a good way to get to know your photographer but you will both “love it”, and remember it forever and Ever.  This is the one opportunity for you to have a professional portrait made other than the day you are in your formal weddingware. I have often been told that “It was one of the best dates we ever have”. Both grooms and brides often tell me how much they loved it, what a great memory it is now, how they never realized how much they could enjoy their time at a “photo shoot.” Even if you hate having your picture taken….  This is going to be a fun day!  Truthfully You will get better wedding photos if you have an e-session with your wedding photographer, 100% of the time even if you don’t choose me and here is why.  The e-session gets you comfortable with both your photographer and with the camera before the wedding. It also helps your photographer to see what angles flatter you the most, to see how you interact together as a couple, to see which of you squints when you smile to the point of your eyes vanishing, etc. All of this information helps us immeasurably on the wedding day.  The e-session is also very helpful for Family and friends.  They will have more confidence in your decisions on spending thousands of dollars on a photographer,  I can’t tell you how many times I have been introduced as “the photographer that did those amazing engagement photos”.  When your family and friends see your engagement photos and how gorgeous they are, they support your photography choices and relax around your photographer more quickly. That allows your photographer to capture the real emotions of guests as they let their guards down.

With the e-session photos, you or your photographer can make guest signing books or matted signing boards, reception cards, and other uniquely “you” decor for the reception. You will also have photos that you can used for save the date magnets, invitations, favors, programs, on line profiles, your wedding web site, a reception slideshow set to music, etc.  Please contact me and we will  be happy to share our samples with you.  Thanks…. Linda and Michael Paul.

Weddings at Umass AmherstWeddings at Umass Amherst

Weddings at Umass AmherstWeddings at Umass AmherstWeddings at Umass AmherstWeddings at Umass Amherst

Ashlee & Jim’s Hotel Northampton Wedding

Another beautiful Hotel Northampton Wedding. The couple is from upstate New York and this amazing wedding is from November 4th 2011; this was just a few days after one of the largest winter storms I have ever seen hit the area.  Most of the hotels and restaurants had no power and streets were impassible from fallen trees.   You would never know it from looking at the pictures but there was a foot of snow on the ground one week earlier.  The ceremony was at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke where the Brides uncle was the priest….  Super cool guy!

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Love, Luck, and Shamrocks: St. Patrick’s Day Wedding Style Inspiration

Check out these great blogs listed above that posted our Irish Inspired Styled Wedding shoot:

Poptastic Bride | Studio DIY | With This Kiss | The Party Press Blog | Bridal Guide

The theme for this wedding seemed to come so naturally once we found that Sean & Amanda both have a passion for Irish Culture. It was easy to decide on a green and white luck theme for this married couple. With the couples’ excitement came a chance to be creative and realize that this couple is not only lucky to have each other but lucky to be in love, and we, as a team of wedding professionals also felt very lucky to be a part of this truly magical and blessed day. We filled the day with shamrocks everywhere, from the bouquets in shades of green and white, to the personalized green and white M&M’s, the cake surrounded by green Trix, the chairs dressed with white feathers, fur and sheer green ribbon, and of course who can forget the shamrock tattoo on the bride! This was truly a Massachusetts winter wedding that was filled with the luck of the Irish. We chose to incorporate many details that would ensure that luck would surely follow them throughout their lives and love. Placing a sixpence coin in one of the bride’s shoes will bring the couple luck in securing wealth and good fortune throughout their marriage. To see the bride put on her shoe with the sixpence coin was just another reminder of how traditions can make all the difference in your special day. The horseshoe is another symbol of good luck and an excellent wedding gift for their guests. The horseshoe must be hung in the home with the ends facing up so the luck doesn’t run out, and the couple chose to use horseshoes for their place cards. Not only did Sean and Amanda strive to have good luck but they also wanted every guest to also leave with the some luck of their own. To add to the horseshoes, on each menu card was placed a “Kiss Me Frog” charm for each guest to have. “The Kiss Me Frog has a heart that’s true, he will bring you love the whole year through. Kiss him each and every day and soon true love will come your way.” Sean and Amanda’s love for one another was so inspiring to see. “Lucky is the bride upon which the sun shines”. And what a beautiful day we had! The sun was shining and warm and when the flurries came and surrounded them it was as if they were being looked down upon from the heavens with the snowflakes intending to give the newlyweds good luck as well.

The Awesome Vendors:  Thank you for all of your help!!!!

Michael Paul Photo http://www.michaelpaulphoto.com

Hair and Makeup – Salon Tres Chic, www.salontreschicanddayspa.com
Menu, Place Cards, Invitations – Camilla Cartwright, Fairy deLight (no website)
Cupcakes and Cake – Hager Bros. Farm Market,

http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farm.php?farm=1781

Jewelry – Imagine Jewelers, www.aksjewelry.com
Sixpence, Garter Charms, Flowerpots, Flowergirl basket, Ring Bearer
pillow, Garters, Pen Holder, Guest Book – Ivy Lane Design,
www.ivylanedesign.com
Personalized M&M’s – www.mymms.com
Shoes – Aliber’s Bridal; Designer, Coloriffics
Wedding gown – Aliber’s Bridal; Designer, Casablanca Bridals,
www.alibersbridal.com
Bolero Jacket, Sash – Aliber’s Bridal; Designer, Aliber’s Bridal,
www.alibersbridal.com
Floral Design, Table Settings – Floral Affairs of Greenfield,
www.floralaffairsofgreenfield.com
Ironwork – Morrell Metalsmiths, www.morrellmetalsmiths.com

Nick & Meg’s Sneak Peak | Mt Washington Engagement Session

Just one for Valentines Day….   The rest in a few weeks.

Mt Washington Hotel | Bretton Wood New Hampshire, Michael Paul Photo